John Wall's lack of turnovers key to Wizards' Game 1 win over Hawks
Whether it ends up being an anomaly or the start of a trend, no story looms larger in the second-round NBA playoff series between the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks than Washington's lack of turnovers so far. And that story starts with All-Star point guard John Wall.
During the regular season, the Hawks thrived on forcing turnovers. Only the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers created more turnovers per possession than Atlanta, according to Basketball-Reference's turnover percentage data. Yet in Game 1, the Hawks managed just 11 points off of eight total team turnovers for the Wizards, while Wall coughed it up just twice in 39 minutes. It was a huge departure from the regular season, according to the Washington Times:
"Wall’s 6.8 turnovers per game in the four regular-season meetings were his most against any opponent. The Wizards had five turnovers in the first half and just three in the second."
"Nov. 25, Wall had seven turnovers vs. the Hawks. Jan. 11, eight more. But, Feb. 4, he had just two in a 105-96 loss in Atlanta, which was also the most competitive game of the three between these teams when they played their full squads."
There's a clear and present trend this season between the Hawks and Wizards, then. When John Wall is able to be his play-making self and simultaneously keep Atlanta out of transition by avoiding turnovers, the Wizards can more than hang with the Hawks. The proof is in the Game 1 box score.
(h/t Washington Times)
Photo Credit: Brad Mills/USA Today Sports
